Learning to play an instrument

The sound was painful to the ear, loud and obnoxious, accompanied by uncomfortable giggles of both fear and amazement as the student nervously with a degree of anxiety blended with joy returned the instrument back to the teacher. "Will I really get to play an instrument?" lurked inside each head, the secret longing to express emotions through music hoping to be unleashed in the form of band. Parents looked on wondering about the sound itself, the costs associated with band, the commitment, and also the ability of their child. Yet there was no denying the shimmering energy that abounded within their son or daughter when she held the instrument and made that sound. Pure joy alighted on her face as she imagined herself marching on the field making music.

Complete trust and faith in the teachers to help make the decision over which instrument was best occurred when the students and parents approached the band director wondering what would happen next. Assessing the child including his teeth, lips, general aptitude, musical aptitude, potential size, and mostly desire, the director educates them on what would be the best instrument. Sometimes the director misses the mark and places a student on the wrong instrument. Time usually reveals this problem and the wise director will encourage a change early enough to allow the student success. Meanwhile, the student anxiously awaits the moment he can hold the instrument and play a melody.

The process is a shade laborious at first, learning to hold the instrument correctly, learning how to care for it, finding what makes it tick, adjusting your body to fit the instrument, applying what you see on the written page to the actual instrument. Attempting to make the darn thing sound good, pleasing to the ear, matching the music, doing the rhythm correctly, making your fingers accurate, hoping for success. It is an emotional experience in all respects. In some ways similar to hitting the ball when it crosses the plate or getting the math problem right or asking someone on a date, it is all frightening and wildly vulnerable.

But wow--it is worth the anxiety! The feeling deep inside that comes rushing out as you learn to play an instrument is overwhelmingly joyous and fulfilling. Everything right that exists inside the heart and soul is outwardly expressed through the strange object being held in your hand. The neurons come alive and your body energy becomes a rushing river of rapids gliding effortlessly and unbridled toward the goal of music. That first sound and later that first melody is one of those experiences to be treasured and remembered forever.

To the students thinking about playing: your parents and your grandparents will love every sound you make and every attempt at music that you experience. Let not your fear and anxiety inhibit your desire for music. Music is for everyone.

There is a marvelous song by Elton John called Electricity. It is a song that a boy sings describing the feeling he gets when he starts dancing. The song is from the amazingly inspiring musical called Billy Elliot. The words and music describe the same feeling one gets when playing an instrument, which is all about the personal expression of music.